Boot Linode backup in a local VM

Is it possible to boot up a Linode image that is copied using the instructions provided here: http://library.linode.com/linode-platfo … e-over-ssh">http://library.linode.com/linode-platform/migration/copy-disk-image-over-ssh

I would like to keep a copy on my local machine for development so that I can test out alternate configurations and install updates without worrying about something breaking on my production server. I suppose I can just install another copy of the distro in a local VM and sync up my /home /srv and /etc directories. But it won’t be 100% exact.

Also, are there any instructions for restoring a backup that was copied with the method provided at the link above? An employee noted that they would add restore instructions but the comment was made in 2009 and no such instructions were added to the article.

Thanks